Effect of protein malnutrition on cholesterol and phosphatases in the lungs of silicotic rats

Summary

The role of dietary proteins on total cholesterol and its fractions and phosphatases was studied in short term experiments in the lungs of rats following exposure to silica dust by intratracheal inoculation of saline suspension. The animals were fed either a diet complete in all respects or a diet grossly deficient in proteins but otherwise adequate. Feeding of a diet low or adequate in protein did not influence the increased cholesterol content of the lungs of silicotic animals or the levels of lung acid and alkaline phosphatases.